Jean-Philippe Gerbi 10/30/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 10/30/19

Tuk Tuk, Thai food in LIC

I sometimes crave Thai food: comforting, flavorful and not always spicy, Thai cuisine offers a nice selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. So, as we were in Long Island City, we decided to try Tuk Tuk, a local restaurant that takes its name from the three wheeled taxi that you see in many Asian countries.

Tuk Tuk serves classics as well as street food that I have never seen on a menu. Vegetarian dishes are very flavorful there and I had no problem sharing with Jodi the vegetable Spring rolls (crunchy and not too greasy with not too much shell), the vegetable dumplings or “green dumplings” that were succulent (thin shell and flavorful filling made with peas and corn to name few ingredients, and bathed in a chili oil) or the surprising pan-fried Chinese chive cakes with spicy soy dipping sauce.

Green dumplings at Tuk Tuk in Long Island City

Pan-fried Chinese chive cakes at Tuk Tuk in Long Island City

Spring rolls at Tuk Tuk in Long Island City

For the entrees, they offer lots of dishes with tofu like the pad see ew that was delightfully sweet, or the magic mushrooms, made with stir-fried shiitake, eryngii and white mushrooms in a garlic pepper brown sauce. I liked it but admit that I see that dish more as either an appetizer or something to share rather than a full entree that you would eat with rice.

Pad see ew at Tuk Tuk in Long Island City

Magic mushrooms at Tuk Tuk in Long Island City

For non-vegetarians, they have the classic curries like the chicken massaman that I really liked, the sauce being amazing: not spicy, it was tasty with the onions, potato, peppers and cashew nuts that were bathed in it. But more interestingly is their street “Explore” section that includes a bunch of street food dishes like the Kaw-Moo-Dang, made with roast pork and crispy pork belly served over rice with a five-spice peanut gravy, boiled egg, cucumber and scallion. I admit that I was not sure if I had to mix the egg with the pork and rice, so I tried various combinations. This was delicious, the pork being crunchy and the sauce very good, but I admit I would have liked more of it.

Chicken massaman at Tuk Tuk in Long Island City

Kaw Moo Dang at Tuk Tuk in Long Island City

Of course, each time we went, I ordered a Thai iced tea that is my go to drink when I eat in a Thai restaurant.

Thai iced tea at Tuk Tuk in Long Island City

I like Tuk Tuk: this low key restaurant with a courteous staff stands out from the classic Thai restaurants. I would definitely go back there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Tuk Tuk - 4906 Vernon Boulevard, Queens, NY, NY 11101

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 10/28/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 10/28/19

Le District, French market

Italians have Eataly and the French have Le District, a market that opened in 2015, located near The World Trade Center that offers classic French delicacies such as bread or cheese. I admit that, I heard about it in the past but waited until we went to L’Appart few months ago before deciding to explore this place, regretting that I did not go earlier. Depending from where you enter, you can end up in the supermarket that had lots of French products, most of them overpriced unfortunately, or on the food court side, starting with crepes that are not good, Bar Suzette in Chelsea Market being a better option.

Lemon meringue tart at Le District in NYC, NY

Eclair au chocolat at Le District in NYC, NY

As you move towards the back, you pass the boulangerie where they sell various classics: croissants, pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) as well as a brioche with chocolate chips (lots of them) or a bunch of choices with Nutella such as the brioche that was filled with lots of it.

Brioche with chocolate chips at Le District in NYC, NY

Brioche with Nutella at Le District in NYC, NY

The bread, that is served in the various restaurants (L’Appart or Beaubourg) is superb, with or without butter and they even have a ficelle (thinner and smaller version of a baguette) that I tried in a succulent fig and Comte cheese sandwich. This is a good Segway to talk about their cheese: they have a great selection with cheeses like Brillat Savarin, a triple cream cow cheese or the livarot, another cow’s cheese that has a pungent flavor. For sure, this beats any cheese plate offered in restaurants that I often consider a rip off as expensive and too classic.

Brillat Savarin at Le District in NYC, NY

Cheese and meat at Le District in NYC, NY

With the cheese, you can get some meat products like their homemade pate de champagne that is very good and comforting or some jambon cru (prosciutto).

Pate de campagne at Le District in NYC, NY

They also have a butcher that provides meat for their steak frites (my photos got corrupted so I cannot show this dish to you!) or even mergez, these delicious lamb sausages that are hard to find except in French or Middle Eastern restaurants. And of course, they have wine, white, red or rose, you name it.

Le District is a great place: good food and the

Le District is a great place to indulge in French classics but know that it can be crowded, especially in the evening. I cannot wait to go back there to try their cheese fondue and sandwiches.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Le District - 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10281

I Just Want To Eat! 10/23/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/23/19

Saar Indian Bistro

I was really excited when we got to go to Saar Indian Bistro Midtown Manhattan: this place is one of the many restaurants of Chef Hemant Mathur who I met few times in the various places he opened in the city, some of them unfortunately closing such as Haldi. This Michelin starred Chef knows how to give a modern twist to Indian cuisine and eating his food is always a festival of flavors. We started our meal with some snacks and a mango lassi that is my go to drink when eating Indian food: nicely sweet, it is a good way to cool your mouth when on fire…

Mango lassi at Saar Indian Bistro in NYC, NY

The first appetizer was the paneer fingers made with chickpea flour and served with a pickle aioli. You need to like chickpea as the batter had that taste and if you do, you will love it: crispy and not greasy, quite comforting.

Paneer fingers at Saar Indian Bistro in NYC, NY

The second one was the cauliflower latkes that was topped with a cranberry chutney. This was like an homage to jewish deli with their potato latkes, and I love the twist Chef Mother gave to this dish, adding Indian flavor to it.

Cauliflower latkes at Saar Indian Bistro in NYC, NY

For the entrees, Jodi settled for some sides: dal makhni (delightfully creamy) and saag paneer made with spinach and Indian cheese. I admit that the latter is not my favorite dish, as I am not a big fan of spinach, but the dal was fantastic, perfect with some butter nan.

Butter naan at Saar Indian Bistro in NYC, NY

Dal Makhni at Saar Indian Bistro in NYC, NY

Saag paneer at Saar Indian Bistro in NYC, NY

I also tried their Saar lamb kebab that was succulent: if you love lamb and do not mind spices, I highly recommend it.

Lamb kebab at Saar Indian Bistro in NYC, NY

Last was dessert. They definitely have interesting options and although I was disappointed not to see my favorite Indian dessert, the gulab jamun, I was thrilled to try their shahi tukra or Emperor’s morsel, a crispy brioche smothered by a reduced milk cream and almonds. Very good and not too sweet, it had something comforting.

Shahi tukra at Saar Indian Bistro in NYC, NY

After such a meal, we were glad to have a little walk and were delighted to have dined at Saar Indian Bistro: Chef Mathur never disappoints for sure!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Saar Indian Bistro - 241 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 10/21/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/21/19

Dinner at Craft

When I think that Craft, one of the restaurants of celebrity Chef Tom Colicchio, has been opened since 2001 and I only tried it in 2019! I was sad to see Colicchio and Sons and Craftbar closing in fact, two restaurants that showed the difference between hospitality and good service and it is only after talking to one of my friends who loves Craft that we ended up there for dinner on a Friday. For once, we ended up in a place where we could enjoy a nice conversation without screaming to the top of our lungs.

I should mention that they offer a delicious potato bread that is light like a brioche and so good that I would eat just that with or without butter.

The bread was followed by a shot of gazpacho, compliment of the Chef:

Serving seasonal dishes with ingredients bought locally, including in the nearby green market, the menu offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes with a special section for mushrooms that jodi could not resist, ordering the chanterelles as an appetizer, a good choice for an earthy start.

On my side, choosing an appetizer was challenging as there were lots of mouth watering choices: oysters, octopus, foie gras or quail. I went for the latter that was grilled and topped with aged balsamic. This was perfectly cooked that is always tricky as a quail can quickly become dry if overcooked.

I continued with another bird for my entree: Crescent Pekin duck served two ways, a roasted breast and a confit leg. Both were sublime, perfectly cooked: the breast was medium-rare, with a fatty skin that was very slightly crispy and the confit was not too salty, literally falling off the bone.

Crescent Peking duck at Craft in NYC, NY

It did not come with any side so we went for the aligot, a potato purée with ten times the amount of cheese and butter you would normally put in a classic French purée.

For her entree, Jodi opted for the fusilli with burrata, Goldbar squash and basil squash blossom. Superb! This is the kind of comforting dish that is perfect with this weather.

With our meal, we got some drinks: The bee sting cocktail, made with Pendleton Whisky, fresh ginger, cardamom-honey and Regan's orange bitters.

Jodi got a non-alcoholic beverage called the Phoenician made with pomegranate juice, lemon, mint and Club soda.

The meal finished with fireworks, enjoying their donuts that were some of the best I had in a restaurant: fluffy and light, we finished all of them despite being full…This is a must have!

Overall, we had a great meal at Craft: although pricey, it was a amazing. I would definitely go back.

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Craft - 43 E 19th Street, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 10/18/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/18/19

House of Que in Weehawken, NJ

I love BBQ and had House of Que in Weehawken on my radar for a while. It is a bit far but a nice walk on the river front or, if you live in New York, the ferry ride from Manhattan to Port Imperial can be a convenient and nice way of discovering this area. House of Que is big, with lots of light and two bars to serve a horde of thirsty patrons, the second bar being in a it, surrounded by oversized TVs. You certainly don’t go to House of Que for a romantic dinner and lunch might be better if like me you like to eat without noise canceling headphones.

Food wise we were not disappointed: at House of Que, Chef Michael Rodriguez serves a large menu with true Texas style BBQ. Their motto? We only smoke the good stuff! My only regret is that they only propose a small sampler or more choice of two meats and two sides during the week as the minimum weight to order is a quarter pound and if you are the only one non-vegetarian, it can be a lot of food. Still, they have plenty of good options, even for vegetarians, like the fried pickle spears that are always a crowd pleaser or their corn bread that is quite good, with or without butter. Yes, sides can be a good way to pick vegetarian dishes and it is fine as long as they are well done like the Mac and cheese that was creamy, but small (it was the medium size).

Fried pickles at House of Que in Weehawken, NJ

Corn bread at House of Que in Weehawken, NJ

Mac and cheese at House of Que in Weehawken, NJ

For meat eaters, I suggest the chicken wings that I chose with chipotle BBQ sauce: slightly crispy on the outside and with a nice sweetness.

Chicken wings at House of Que in Weehawken, NJ

I was close to ordering their burger that I tried in their Hoboken location previously and finally settled for the Sloppy Texan, a brioche bun that combines smoked brisket and ground beef braised in chili seasonings, pickled onions, American cheese and pickles (lots of them). The name of the dish definitely says it all as it is very sloppy to eat, but quite good and comforting. The chili has a bold and comforting flavor and the pickles added a bit of crunch and acidity to it that is perfect.

Sloppy texan at House of Que in Weehawken, NJ

Last was dessert. I decided to go for the pecan pie that is deliciously buttery, although this time, the crust was a bit overcooked.

Pecan pie at House of Que in Weehawken, NJ

You may wonder if I drank anything: they do have an extensive drink menu, from cocktails to beer, but I just went for a root beer, that I love with pizza and BBQ...

Root beer at House of Que in Weehawken, NJ

So, House of Que never disappoints: I love this place that proposes an extensive menu, a bit overwhelming when you want to try a bit of everything, but surely comforting. It will not be the last time I’ll be there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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House of Que - 500 Ave at Port Imperial, Weehawken, NJ 07086

I Just Want To Eat! 10/16/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/16/19

Pizzeria Sirenetta on the Upper West Side

This is my second time at Pizzeria Sirenetta, a busy pizza place with an outdoor area on the Upper West Side. We went last year but I never blogged about it although I took photos of the delicious food we had for brunch. So, one Saturday, as we were in the area, we decided to have dinner and sat on their terrace. As it was before 7pm that we ordered, we benefited from their happy hour (5pm to 7pm Saturday and Sunday) and started by ordering some drinks. Of course, a …

Spritz at Pizzeria Sirenetta on the Upper West Side

Blood orange soda at Pizzeria Sirenetta on the Upper West Side

It was followed by an appetizer: the risotto coquettes or arancini, that were superb as full of cheese and nicely crunchy. I could have had another serving of it.

Arancini at Pizzeria Sirenetta on the Upper West Side

For the pizza, we just went for the one with tomato, basil and buffalo mozzarella. I admit that I was a bit disappointed by the number of choices proposed as you would think that a pizzeria would have more than 5 different kinds. Nevertheless, it was very good: the tomato sauce had a robust flavor and the crust was succulent, puffed up on the sides and nicely charred.

Pizza at Pizzeria Sirenetta on the Upper West Side

We finished the meal with their olive oil cake that was good, although slightly overcooked and not as moist as what I tried in other places.

Olive oil cake at Pizzeria Sirenetta on the Upper West Side

Despite that, I would definitely go back to Pizzeria Sirenetta, especially when their terrace is opened as, although crowded, it has a nice and relaxed atmosphere.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Pizzeria Sirenetta - 568 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

I Just Want To Eat! 10/14/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/14/19

Tacos at Oxido

I love tacos and recently discovered Oxido, near Times Square: this place opened last January and in an outpost of their first location that opened in Chelsea in 2015 where Chef Jesse Perez gives a modern twist on Mexican classics. Tacos, burritos and bowls are proposed there and you would think that you are at Chipotle the way your order is made, at the counter, from left to right, picking whatever ingredients you would like to create your dish, some free and other with a surcharge, often modest. But the comparison stops there. The taste is much better. And if you are vegetarian, they have a superb red Chile mushroom preparation that we tried in their quesadilla (twice in fact): with its robust and not really spicy flavor, this earthy dish is very comforting. The quesadilla that is deliciously crunchy and of a good size, takes a bit of time to cook. So order it first.

Chile mushroom quesadilla at Oxido in Times Square

They also have a “dirty bowl” that is like nachos: the corn chips go in the bottom and then you can cover them with whatever you want, from chicken, pork or beef, to cheese sauce ($1.25 supplement but a must have) or cheese (or both like I did), beans, corn, pico de Gallo, etc. You will end up with a colorful bowl, not so healthy, but delicious and filling.

The tacos are also a must have. I tried most of them: grass-fed grilled garlic steak (tender and juicy), braised pork carnitas called the toasty and the Chile lime pork carnitas. All were delicious, especially the steak one that I always find tough and dry but not at Oxido.

Grilled garlic steak at Oxido in Times Square

With it, we have guacamole and chips, their guacamole being pretty good and well seasoned.

My only regret: no dessert. I wish they had churros...That would end a nice casual meal. Definitely Oxido is better than Taco Dumbo few blocks away whose only advantage is the full bar but does not have food as good as that. So for sure I will go back to Oxido!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Oxido -1450 Broadway, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 10/11/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/11/19

Morandi in Chelsea

I often talk about Morandi, one of my favorite Italian restaurant in the city. Although not truly Italian like Pastis or Balthazar are not truly French but still a good rendition by Keith McNally. Scene-y, crowded and loud. We recently where in Chelsea and decided to go there for an early dinner. I started the meal with a house cocktail: the Lo Scosseze, made with Adberg whisky, Drambouie liquor and black walnut. Apparently not that many people order it because they do not like peaty whisky. Well, on my side I loved it.

Lo Scosseze cocktail at Morandi in Chelsea

Jodi asked if they could do a mocktail and they made one with raspberry that was unfortunately too tart.

Raspberry cocktail at Morandi in Chelsea

As an appetizer, we shared the focaccia zucchine e bufala that was a flatbread made with focaccia topped with pesto, sautéed zucchini and buffalo mozzarella. This was delicious to the point that I would make my own at home. The zucchini were slightly crunchy, the mozzarella creamy and I appreciated the fact that they did not put too much pesto.

Focaccia zucchine e bufala at Morandi in Chelsea

Then we both got pasta: Pici al limone (hand rolled spaghetti with lemon and Parmesan) for Jodi and linguine alle vongole for me. Both were good: the pici al limone are always surprising as the lemon is not overpowering and works well with the Parmesan cheese. The vongole is also one of my favorite dishes: nice amount of clam, enough white wine sauce and pasta cooked al dente.

Linguine alle vongole at Morandi in Chelsea

Of course we could not leave without dessert and settle for the ricotta fritters that had pignoli inside. Good and comforting.

So again, Morandi does not disappoint and it is not the last time I will go there although I would continue to go early enough to avoid the noisy crowd.

Enjoy (i did)!

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Morandi-211 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 10/9/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/9/19

Hao Noodles in Chelsea

We were walking on 14th street when we passed by in front of Hao Noodle, an outpost of Hao Noodle and Tea by Madam Zhu’s Kitchen that we discovered previously. We decided to go there for lunch on a Saturday, craving Chinese food and were so delighted by the food there that we came back the following week for dinner..

Both times we got sat in the main dining room that is, during the day, bright thanks to an opening in the ceiling and gives an amazing feel to the well decorated place. If it was not for the four people sitting behind me, who did not understand that they did not need to yell to be heard by the person next to them, it would have been perfect.

Hao means “great” in Chinese and I admit that it is the way I felt upon eating there, although a walk after that was necessary. Here is what we tried:

Vegetable spring rolls that were very hot as just made. They were delicious: crispy on the outside with not too much shell, and delightfully greasy.

Vegetable spring rolls at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

Eight spices crispy tofu: this is one of their most popular dishes. The soft tofu is encased in a fantastic shell that is crispy, not greasy and flavorful, giving this dish an incredible taste.

Eight spices crispy tofu at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

Pork and shrimp soup buns. These 3 steamed dumplings were so good: the filling was fatty and tasty. I like the fact that they serve only 3 as usually it is 6 or 8 and if you are the only one eating them, it is too much (if you want other dishes I mean).

Pork and shrimp soup buns at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

Boiled octopus in chili and sour sauce: this was extremely spicy and my mouth was on fire, but so good that I kept going at it! And the octopus was well cooked, not rubbery at all.

Boiled octopus in chili and sour sauce at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

Next were the noodles. The first time we went, Jodi ordered the scallion oil and mushroom noodles while I got the Dan Dan noodles. The scallion oil and mushroom noodles were amazing especially the mushrooms that were sort of caramelized and gave some earthiness to the dish. And the noodles, perfectly cooked al dente were sublime, bathed in an incredible oily sauce.

Scallion oil and mushroom noodles at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

If you like spicy food and are not a vegetarian, I recommend the Dan Dan noodles. This Sichuan dish is made with Sichuan pepper, minced pork and scallions. When I asked how spicy it was, the waiter said that between 1 and 10, it would be a 6...for him. Well, it was spicy and after you mix the noodles with the generous amount of sauce and pork under, you get quite a bit of heat. But it is so good that you get back to it, even if your mouth starts to be on fire as the heat is building up.

Dan dan noodles at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

To lower the spiciness of the dish, a great drink is their homemade lychee iced tea that was very refreshing and that I preferred over the house made citrus black tea or sparkling apple juice.

Citrus black tea at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

Sparkling apple juice at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

When we came back, I decided to try the version with dry shrimp of Jodi’s dish: the scallion oil and dry shrimp noodle. When the dish came, a fishy smell came out of it that kind of put me off. And then the taste was not that great, fishy again, the shrimp being a bit tough and the dish lacking the earthiness the mushrooms gave.

Scallion oil and dry shrimp noodle at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

That day however, we had the fried noodles with egg and vegetables, a vegetarian dish that was amazing: delightfully greasy and very tasty, it is a dish I would get again (well, Jodi would get and I would gladly share…).

Of course we could not not try dessert and we went for one of their signature desserts: fried egg rice cakes and the black sesame rice balls with dried orange peel in red bean soup. Both are a bit like mochi as made with rice. The fried egg rice cakes were soft and chewy, with the best part was being the sides that were slightly caramelized. The black sesame rice balls were also quite original: these very soft balls had sesame in it that gave a nice nuttiness. And the red bean soup was scrumptious and comforting, although I would have loved it to be sweeter.

Fried egg rice cakes at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

Black sesame rice balls at Hao Noodles in Chelsea

This was a great meal and I cannot wait to go back to Hao Noodle. This is a great place for good Chinese food.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Hao Noodle - 343 W 14th St, New York, NY 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 10/7/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/7/19

Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecakes

Founded in Fukuoka, Japan by Tetsushi Mizokami, Uncle Testsu’s cheesecake opened in New York a couple of months ago. I noticed it after seeing a line in front of a small bakery with an open kitchen where somebody was making what I learn later was madeleines. I admit that I never had or even knew that there was such thing as a Japanese cheesecake, a treat totally different from the heavier version we know (and yes, Junior’s is still the best for me). No, Japanese cheesecakes are fluffier and eggy: a bite literally melts in your mouth. They say at Uncle Tetsu that it “combines the richness of American cheesecakes with the lightness of French soufflés” that is the right description. The round cheesecake stamped with a hairless chef with glasses is small, good for 4 people. Know that you can only get one per person.

Counter at Uncle Tetsu cheesecake in NYC. NY

cheesecake at Uncle Tetsu cheesecake in NYC. NY

They use it to make rusk or what they sometimes call biscotti: twice baked cookies made from their cheesecake. They are tough to get as you will often see a sign saying “no rusk” at the counter, especially late afternoon, but, when you get them, they are superb: crunchy and buttery, very addictive.

Rusk at Uncle Tetsu cheesecake in NYC. NY

I mentioned the honey madeleines that do not really look like madeleines, more a combination of a muffin and a madeleine. They are good, but when eating them you are not as amazed as when you try the cheesecake and rusk.

Honey madeleines at Uncle Tetsu cheesecake in NYC. NY

Uncle Tetsu’s cheesecake is a must have and it is not the last time you will see me at that store that I would not be surprised will have sister location soon.

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

Uncle Tetsu’s cheesecake - 135 W 41st St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 10/4/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/4/19

Tapas at Socarrat Paella Bar in Chelsea

It’s been a while since we wanted to go to Socarrat Paella Bar but I admit that I was a bit put off by the fact that they only serve paella for a minimum of two people. Between Jodi being vegetarian and me not wanting to try a non-vegetarian paella, it did not work. So we finally decided to go for their tapas, me, salivating each time I was seeing a large paella pan passing by, imagining I could dip my fork in it without people knowing.

We went to the location in Chelsea that was busy at the beginning and then emptied out. Well, especially considering that the food took forever to come (20 minutes for a cheese plate seems an awful lot of time). Adding that we had to ask for bread because they totally forgot, you can add few more minutes before we started our meal. The cheese was just put on the table without any explanation as to what it was, but I could only recognize manchego.

Cheese plate at Socarrat Paella Bar in Chelsea

The wait was too bad because I wanted to eat a little something with the glass of sherry (Gobernador) I ordered.

Sherry at Socarrat Paella Bar in Chelsea

Next was the patatas bravas, these crispy pieces of potato served with aioli and a spicy tomato sauce. I love this dish that is simple but comforting.

Patatas bravas at Socarrat Paella Bar in Chelsea

As is the tortilla espanola that is a must have when dining in a Spanish restaurant. It was served with pan con tomate or a tomato toast that was a good addition. This Spanish omelet was good but slightly overcooked for my taste. The one at Boqueria is way better, but still, this was good.

Tortilla española at Socarrat Paella Bar in Chelsea

Another vegetarian dish was the Champinones Asados or Roasted seasonal mushrooms, mahon cheese and extra virgin olive oil.

Champinones asados at Socarrat Paella Bar in Chelsea

I also tried their calamari a la plancha that looked beautiful and was perfectly cooked, not rubbery at all. The only problem is that it was really oily...

Calamari at Socarrat Paella Bar in Chelsea

Last was dessert. We could not resist ordering their churros and ended up with small miserable pieces that were too chewy and not good. Adding to that the tiny amount of condensed milk, we were really disappointed.

Churros at Socarrat Paella Bar in Chelsea

So yes, disappointed is a good word to describe how we felt about Socarrat in Chelsea. The food was not at the level of Boqueria or Tia Pol. Not sure I would go back for paella there but maybe going to another location I will have more chance.

Enjoy (...)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

Socarrat - 259 West 19th Street, NY 10011

I Just Want To Eat! 10/2/19 I Just Want To Eat! 10/2/19

Jersey Mike's Subs in Hoboken, NJ

When I heard Jersey Mike’s opened where Fran’s Deli used to be, I was really excited to ty it, loving subs that I discovered in this country. Not that we do not have sandwiches in France, but subs are slightly different, especially the soft bread that is a big part of it.

This casual place with only few seats can be crazy but I admit that most of the time, the wait is not too long, unless they forgot your order that happened to me once, the staff being apologetic instead of having a “whatever you are in Jersey Mike’s” attitude. Menu wise, this is more for meat eaters as they only offer one vegetarian option, the veggie made with lettuce, tomato, provolone, Swiss and peppers (you can add pickles if you wish). So, they do not have any vegan option, unless you just get that sandwich without the cheese.

Veggie sub at Jersey Mike's Subs in Hoboken, NJ

The veggie sandwich is good, but I admit that my focus was more on the meat options, cold or hot. Cold like the Original italian, made with provolone, salami, ham, prosciutto and cappacuolo: nice combination and they put lots of meat that you see them slice generously as they prepare your order.

Original Italian at Jersey Mike's Subs in Hoboken, NJ

This was my favorite with their cheesesteak that might not be as good as what you find in Philly, but still awesome: I could have eaten their larger size. The meat was tasty and not tough, juicy and there was lots of cheese in it.

Cheesesteak at Jersey Mike's Subs in Hoboken, NJ

Less good was the Buffalo chicken sandwich that was a total mess and, although smothered in lots of hot sauce, was lacking blue cheese that was not spread uniformly and the chicken was a bit overcooked. I would pass next time on that one.

Buffalo chicken at Jersey Mike's Subs in Hoboken, NJ

Despite that, I like Jersey Mike’s: it is not worth a trip to Hoboken but still, if you are in the area and crave a sub, this is a good option.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Jersey Mike's Subs - 202 Hudson St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 9/30/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/30/19

Rabbit Rabbit Tea near the Flatiron

Last Saturday, I was invited to try Rabbit Rabbit Tea, a place that serves bubble tea, a kind of tea that became popular in Taiwan in the 1980s and whose creator is unknown. It has since conquered the US and Rabbit Rabbit Tea has made its way from California to New York, housed in the location of a Chinese restaurant (Xiang Xiang Noodle). The rabbit is often associated with luck and there is this superstition in Britain and North America wherein a person says or repeats the words "rabbit", "rabbits" and/or "white rabbits" aloud upon waking on the first day of a month to get good luck for the whole month. So, I wonder if it is from that that the name of this place came from…For sure the logo is fun.

Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

Bubble tea, also called boba tea, can be made with milk or without and with the various types of milk (whole, skim, condensed or thick that I learned is with whipped cream, the combinations are endless. And contrary to a common thought, the name bubble tea does not come from the tapioca pearls that are in the bottom of the glass (except in fruit tea) but because of the bubbles that form when you shake them.

I tried three different tea:

Brown sugar pearl with milk: matcha.
Fresh fruit iced tea: lychee.
Milk tea: Japanese buckwheat.

My favorite was the matcha that was very milky, and then the Japanese buckwheat. It is the first time I tried buckwheat tea and in fact did not even know it existed. They provide the following information in their website:

Origin: Taiwan

Degree of fermentation: 0%

Baking degree: 30%

Water color: Golden translucent

Flavor: Fried roasted cereal

Characteristics: Japan's popular healthy tea for many years, using 100% natural buckwheat produced in Taiwan, high in nutritional value, went through a unique expansion technology and slowly roasted to produce a special wheat scent, full of aroma, no caffeine and no artificial additives.

The lychee one was quite refreshing but the fruit was slightly overpowered by the green tea.

Lychee iced tea at Rabbit Rabbit Tea in NYC, NY

Matcha milk tea at Rabbit Rabbit Tea in NYC, NY

Japanese buckwheat tea at Rabbit Rabbit Tea in NYC, NY

I liked the tea at Rabbit Rabbit Tea: they have so many interesting combinations (including sweetness) that I will definitely go back there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Rabbit Rabbit Tea - 110-112 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 9/27/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/27/19

Belcampo in Hudson Yards

I heard of Belcampo thanks to fellow blogger Johnny Prime who is a reference when it comes to meat and attended a camp there, before discovering that they have an outpost in Hudson Yards. At the time when more and more people become vegetarian, many because of the way cattle are raised, Belcampo shows how raising animals for consumption can be less hazardous, controlling the food chain from A to Z, without any middlemen and under strict rules. Raised in their farm at the base of Mt Shasta in Northern California (25,000 acres), the animals are fed without any hormones and additives and it shows.

Meat display at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

But if you are vegetarian, don’t be uncomfortable when going there: they are used to have vegetarian diners and gracefully propose alternative, ready to switch meat for egg or avocado in their salads. I mention it because Jodi being vegetarian, we often end up with restaurants inflexible about their menu and not that open to either put vegetarian dishes on their menu that are not an afterthought or change to accommodate patrons who do not eat meat. So they switched lamb for avocado in “The Vessel”, a salad with Middle eastern influences, that is composed of cauliflower rice, za’atar, cherry tomato, cucumber and tahini. Pretty good salad that I will probably try to recreate at home, the cauliflower rice being quite an interesting ingredient.

The Vessel salad at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

On my side, I went all meat: I started with a cup of bone broth soup and chose the Tom Khai Gai over the Italian wedding. This Thai soup was made with poultry bone broth, coconut milk, lime, fish sauce and cilantro. Not spicy, it was quite comforting and flavorful.

Tom Khai Gai soup at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

Next was a side of merguez, a lamb sausage that I adore and cannot find that easily in supermarkets (Whole food or Freshdirect work) or in restaurants, besides North African places like Barbés in Hoboken where they serve it in various manners, from Tagine to simply with some tabouli, or French restaurants like Beaubourg (at Le District, the French market place downtown). Sometimes though, the merguez are not good, but these were excellent, perfectly made for sure.

My entree was the steak frites: a dry aged beef served with duck fat fries (for a healthier option you can choose roasted carrot. I would not because when I have steak, I go all in!). The portion was fine: you end up with a regular portion of meat, besides the fries that were quite generously served. The meat was tender and juicy, and the fries crispy on the outside like I love them. Definitely a good dish and a good price for steak ($29).

Steak frites at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

I should mention their bar that has interesting cocktails that follow the meat theme, like the Bone Broth Michelada made with beer and bone broth, or the one I tried that was the Midnight cruiser, made with duck fat washed rye, bitters and a spiced orange oleo-saccharum. Quite good, do not worry: with this type of cocktail you do not really taste whatever the wash is made off, whisky being quite strong.

Midnight Cruiser at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

Last was dessert. Although I was enthusiastic about the meal, dessert is not something I must absolutely have at Belcampo. The cookies and milk was ok, the cookies not being great, too fluffy with just a little bit of chocolate chips. Then the frosted chocolate cake was not as good as I expected, thinking it would be very chocolatey. It was not. I should have gone for the tarte tatin, although apparently made with a custard and not slices of apple (hopefully the problem is in their description).

Cookies and milk at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

Frosted chocolate cake at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

Despite the disappointing dessert, I really liked Belcampo and would for sure go back there to try other cuts and get merguez again. It is great to have such place at Hudson Yards that is not overpriced on top of that!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Belcampo-500 West 33rd Street Fl 5, New York, NY

I Just Want To Eat! 9/25/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/25/19

Georgian dinner at Chama Mama

It is not that often that you see a Georgian Bakery and restaurant opening and when Chama Mama opened last Spring, it got people talk (I am talking about the Eastern European country). Replacing a Cuban restaurant in Chelsea (El Paraiso), Chama Mama is a casual place with in the kitchen in the middle, visible from the dining room and exhibiting their « tone », a very large clay oven that apparently every Georgian home has (in a smaller version) and where they cook bread most of the day (this one uses gas).

Interestingly, Chama Mama means « Eat Well Dad ». « Mama » being the word for « Dad » and « dida » Mom, Georgian being one of the sole languages to reverse the two. Eating well is definitely not an issue there as they offer lots of mouth watering dishes, some vegetarian, perfect to share, with an emphasis on their bread, the « puri », especially the katchapuri adjarui that is like a small bowl with cheese and an egg yolk that they would mix, at the table, with a generous piece of butter, creating a fatty cheesy cream. This is a must have for sure but is a bit filling: the bread is amazing and I would eat it just like that, without anything on it. I especially loved the crunchiness of the crust.

Katchapuri adjarul at Chama Mama in Chelsea

Also, they had the great idea to propose an appetizer sampler, perfect to share: a taste of Georgia. It had all of the cold plates they offer:

Stuffed red sweet pepper (Walnuts, blue fenugreek, garlic & marigold leaves),

Stuffed eggplant (Walnuts, coriander, garlic & red wine vinegar),
Adjabsandali (/ adjah-psan-da-lee / - eggplant, tomato, mixed peppers & purple basil),
Gebjalia (/geb-jah-lia/ - handmade cheese rolled with yogurt and mint),
Ekala (/eh-kah-la/ - wild bitter greens and walnuts served with cornbread).

I should have mentioned before that they write on their menu how to pronounce each dish so you do might hesitate less when ordering but I admit that even without this, I still show the item on the menu. Then, if you notice, lots of the dishes have walnuts in it so it you have a nut allergy or do not like nuts, you cannot order this. In such case, if you have only one choice to make, i would go for the Adjabsandali that was my favorite dish.

Taste of Georgia at Chama Mama in Chelsea

The last dish before dessert khinkali, pronounced / khin-ka-lee / , their signature house made dumplings that can either be filled with goat cheese, feta and hazelnuts or the beef and pork blend. I went for the latter. Apparently, the way to eat it is like the Taiwanese soup dumplings as it supposed to have some sauce or soup in it. I tried but there was barely no liquid...Know that these large dumplings do not come with any sauce on the side. Although I liked the meat filling, I however found the shell to be too thick and doughy. Too bad.

With my meal, I tried few wines that are made in Kveri, a clay pot similar to an amphora that is buried to let the wine mature. After trying a rosé and an amber wine, I settled for a red one, a Mosmieri saperai that was dry.

Mosmieri saperai wine at Chama Mama in Chelsea

Last was dessert. The first one was a honey cake that I thought would be flakier and would have preferred more honey on it, as well as a grape tart that was just ok.

So no, I was not as thrilled for dessert as for the bread. Still, Chama Mama offers an interesting menu and their bread is to die for. I would in fact mainly go back for that but would still try some of the other dishes they have like their guinea hen or lamb chops.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Chama Mama - 149 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

I Just Want To Eat! 9/23/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/23/19

Grand Opening: Lokal in Jersey City

Last Saturday, I was invited at Lokal in Jersey City, for the restaurant opening. I know: when people think about New Jersey, they wonder if they need their passport, but, in fact, between the ferry from the World Trade Center to the path train to Exchange Place or Newport, it is very easy to go there and you can enjoy delicious food while admiring a breathtaking view of Manhattan.

Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

Result of the collaboration of co-owner Mona Panjwani and “concept creator” Hemant Phul, this place has an elegant feel without being stuffy, modern yet rustic. The floor to ceiling windows give a certain dimension to this big place, and the decor is stunning, with its copper like panels full of geometric shapes, the mural at the entrance where communal tables are lined up giving an urban tone and the small lounge in the back with its selfie wall and a mural that in fact is a take on Lady Liberty who, unknown to many, belongs to the State of New Jersey. And do not expect to see TVs: this is a place to share a drink or a meal, not a game.

The bar is pretty impressive, with a selection of quality spirits and cocktails crafted by mixologist Tess Sawyer. They gracefully served a non-alcoholic cocktail to Jodi that is normally made with bourbon or tequila and contains blueberry puree (reference to New Jersey), mint and bee pollen. With its purple color and flower, it looked beautiful. On my side, I settled for a classic Manhattan that I was glad was not served in a martini glass…

The menu, created by Executive chef Walter Donadio is international with flavors from all around the world and there is a large selection of small plates that are perfect to share and allow trying multiple dishes. This is what he focussed on as you can see below:

The first dish was the trio of hummus: I like the idea that is like the trio of guacamole that you sometimes see in Mexican restaurants. It was served with homemade naan that was delightfully chewy and composed of a classic hummus, a spicy carrot and a sun-dried tomato hummus. I loved these different hummus, and should mention that Jodi does not really like carrots but loved their spicy carrot hummus that was not spicy at all.

Next was the Mac and cheese that was made with a mornay sauce: very creamy, I loved the fact that it was made with pasta shaped like a cup, smothered in cheese.

It was followed by pan seared scallops sitting on an acorn squash veloute and topped with an apple salad. They for sure know how to pan sear scallops that were perfectly made and not rubbery, with a nice crust on top.

If you like seafood, try the rock shrimp smothered in gochujang: this was one of my favorites! Not spicy, crispy and slightly greasy, I simply loved it!

One of the vegetarian dishes Jodi wanted to try was the Mushroom al Ajilo, made with enoki, maitake, shimeshi, and black trumpet, accompanied by cauliflower and piquillo pepper.

Mushroom al Ajilo at Lokal in Jersey City

The last small plate was the pot of mussels, with a sublime coconut sauce in the bottom where I dipped the buttery bread that it came with.

Last was dessert and we finished with fireworks (not literally, gastronomically): we first tried their tiramisu that was really well done, creamy with the lady fingers properly soaked in coffee. And then their chocolate mousse made with Valrhona chocolate: a white and dark chocolate shell with a delicious mousse inside: I recommend it!

Chocolate mousse at Lokal in Jersey City

This was a superb meal in a great atmosphere: Lokal is a perfect addition to the restaurant scene in Jersey City and I cannot wait to try their brunch that starts in couple of weeks.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Lokal - 2nd St Unit 101, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 9/20/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/20/19

Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

We were in Jersey City recently, trying to go to the DMV where the line was as long as a CVS receipt. So, although we decided to go back another time, we chose to eat around and found a Filipino place called Max’s Restaurant. Why not? Jodi was ok to go there as long as I was not getting a balut. Deal. I did not know going at Max’s Restaurant that they have more than 200 locations internationally, mostly in the Philippines and quite a few in North America (17 at this time). Opened in 1945 in the Philippines by Maximo Gimenez and now a family run restaurant empire, it is known for its fried chicken that I skipped as I was going to eat chicken that evening too and was curious to try the pusit sisig, a dish made of chopped squid and onion, smothered with Max’s savory sauce and chili. This was a succulent dish but I admit that I did not know it would be fried and after the chicken chicharon (fried chicken skin that is apparently a classic Filipino appetizer - good to try but I am not a huge fan), it was a bit of too much fried food. But I could not stop eating it: the sauce that seem based on mayonnaise was delicious and the octopus, perfectly cooked, crispy.

Pusit Sisig at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

Chicken chicharron at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

Jodi on her side got the sizzling tofu that seemed to have the same sauce as the pusit sisig and was flavorful, tough to get with tofu sometimes.

Sizzling tofu at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

With our meal, we ordered some juices: Calamansi (Filipino lime) for me and mango for Jodi.

Calamansi and mango juice at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

Last was dessert: we opted for the Turon with coconut jam or banana lumpia. It was banana spring rolls with a sauce that was a bit too thick though. Nevertheless, I loved it: crispy and not greasy, the banana being well cooked.

Turon with coconut at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

Overall, we had a good and comforting meal at Max’s Restaurant. I should point out that this casual place has a very nice staff who made sure we were ok and enjoyed our food. I would definitely go back and this time, try their fried chicken.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Max’s Restaurant - 687 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306

I Just Want To Eat! 9/18/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/18/19

Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

I have never been a fan of Gallaghers, the famous close to a century old steakhouse with its meat locker where they dry age their cuts visible from the outside, like a tourist attraction. But my last visit might have changed my mind. It is true that I went there years ago, before the change of ownership and complete revamping, making it more upscale but keeping a certain charm and authentic feel. Impossible to miss if the open kitchen in the back where the magic happens and I was surprised to see their grill where they cook the meat over hickory logs.

Meat locker at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Bar area at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Grill at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Dining room at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Kitchen at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

I started my meal with their version of an old fashioned, their 52nd st old fashioned, named after their location. It was a mixture made of Old Grandad Bonded Bourbon, Old Overholt Rye, Demerara sugar and bitters. Strong for sure as they are generous on the whisky!

Old fashioned at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

This was a good start but the appetizers were even better, especially the crab cake that was amazing, made with big lump crab, these were some of the best I ever had. The second appetizer was the shrimp and lobster dumplings that were surprising to see on a place like this, but well executed, the shell not being too thick and with a tasty filling.

Crab cake at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Lobster and shrimp dumpling at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Then came the long awaited steak: the porterhouse that was tender, juicy and perfectly cooked medium-rare, as ordered and with a nice crust.

Porterhouse at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

With it, I tried the hash brown that was good but I would have preferred it thinner and crispier, as well as the Mac and cheese that was very creamy (it was made with two cheese: gruyère and cheddar).

Hash brown at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Mac and cheese at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Last was dessert: banana cream pie and key lime pie were on the menu, both good and not too sweet fortunately.

Key lime pie at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Banana cream pie at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

So, overall I was not disappointed with Gallaghers, to the contrary : the food was good and the service excellent. I would go back for sure!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Gallaghers - 228 West 52nd Street, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 9/16/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/16/19

Authentic Sichuan cuisine at Alley 41 in Flushing

When I received an invite to dine at Alley 41, a Sichuanese restaurant in Flushing, I realized that it has been years that we have been saying we should go in that area to try some authentic Chinese cuisine, but we never went. So I gladly accepted the offer and we went on a Friday evening. Its owner, Mr Yao Hua comes from the Sichuan province and immigrated in the US in 1999. Here, he worked in various restaurants before opening Alley 41 in 2017, doing its best to keep the flavors authentic and shipping 80% of its ingredients from the Sichuan Province in China.

Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

“Although we maintain the highest standards of taste and freshness, we pride ourselves on making our restaurant accessible and affordable to all. I hope that more people who enjoy Sichuan cuisine can share new memories with us, enjoying the finest flavors in an authentic Chinese atmosphere.” Says Mr Yao.

Sichuan cuisine is known for being spicy but they can accommodate your taste. Good, because looking at the menu displayed on an iPad, lots of dishes have chilies next to it and a few with more than just one...You might be overwhelmed by the dishes because for sure only a few are your classic Chinese dishes. They do have for instance scallion pancakes but they call them handmade thousand layer cake. And it is really food: crispy and delightfully greasy as you would expect, it did not even need a sauce on the side.

Handmade thousand layer cake at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

They have few vegetarian dishes for sure and their handmade noodles with spicy sweet sauce is a must have: these very long noodles are a bit of a challenge when you are not the best at handling chopsticks and I was a bit scared that my white shirt would end up with lots of that reddish sauce, but I managed to eat without any accident, going back at it, the sauce not being that spicy and well balanced between the spiciness and the sweetness. This is a must have!

Handmade noodles with spicy sweet sauce at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

Another vegetarian dish is their vegetable with black mushrooms, made with bok choy and mushrooms, my only regret was the lack of variety of vegetables.

Vegetable with black mushrooms at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

Vegetable with black mushroom at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

Then you have meat and seafood, and I admit that they serve some of then usually eaten parts that I was not much in the mood to order, also because Jodi was there and she would have lost her appetite: liver, kidney, intestines, duck head or tongue are few examples. So I chose frogs that I guess she is more used to seeing in my plate and picked the frogs with dry pepper. This quite spicy dish was extremely flavorful with basil and cilantro coming through as my tongue was burning. The frog legs were good but they cut them with a cleaver so you must be careful with the little bones.

Frog with dry pepper at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

I also tried their Chef’s special tea smoked duck. This duck was fantastic: well cooked, not dry, smoky with a skin nicely glazed. If you love duck, this is a dish to order.

Tea smoked duck at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

We left full, the portions being quite big. Alley 41 is a good foray into Sichuan cuisine, especially if you like spicy food. I would go back there and this time maybe get more adventurous...

Enjoy (I did)!

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Alley 41 - 136-45 41st Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355

I Just Want To Eat! 9/13/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/13/19

Brunch at The Dutch

It’s been a while since we wanted to go to The Dutch, one of the many restaurants of successful restauranteur Andrew Carmellini (Lafayette, Locanda Verde and Bar Primi to name a few). So, as we had a cooking class at Atelier Sucré (éclairs and cream puffs) in the West Village, we decided to book a table for brunch.

This big place that proposes an American fare was packed for sure, not just the dining rooms but also the bar. Food wise, there are few interesting dishes they offer like the donut tree that seems decadent, but the flavors proposed not that great for me, so we passed. And I was glad we did when we saw the table next to us get it: it looked good but small for $18! Yes, overpriced. Well, few dishes are like the hot fried chicken and biscuits: the chicken was good and moist, crispy on the outside, but $33? For that price you would get an outstanding poulet frites with a salad at Rotisserie Georgette. The biscuits thought were good, freshly made and we even got a side of it. We also tried their burrata with fried green tomatoes and a side of hot pepper jam (not so hot) that seemed tiny for the $24 they charge.

Fried chicken and biscuits at The Dutch in Soho

Fried green tomatoes and burrata at The Dutch

As far as beverages are concerned, Jodi got a cherry juice while I had a healthy option: the green clean freshly pressed juice made with kale, spinach cucumber, mint, apple and pineapple. Quite good, you mainly taste the cucumber and mint but I found it refreshing.

So we left not that enthusiastic with The Dutch: no, it was not the same excitement we had after going to Lafayette or Bar Primi. The Dutch offers an interesting menu, but it is overpriced and the two places I just mentioned are better options.

Enjoy (...)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

The Dutch - 131 Sullivan Street, New York, NY 10012